Follow UsRavichandran Ashwin started playing the Indian Premier League (IPL) after MS Dhoni, and he ended his career in the coveted league before the Chennai Super Kings legend. However, as the situation stands, Dhoni doesn’t seem to be going anywhere, even for the next season of the IPL, as the 44-year-old hasn’t given any indication that he won’t be returning for the 2026 season of the league.
It's rare for someone of his age to still be active in professional cricket, let alone be an important cog in the wheel of an IPL side, but Dhoni remains the axis of CSK even 17 years after playing for it for the first time.
Considering Dhoni’s longevity and the probability of him returning for the next season, let’s look at three IPL GOATs who can say goodbye to the league before him:
Warner, who is 38 years of age, went unsold in the 2025 IPL auction and played the Pakistan Super League (PSL) instead. He has already retired from all forms of international cricket by June 2024, and is probably on the last legs of his professional cricket career.
If he’s not picked in the next season of the IPL or just decides to keep playing the PSL, the best-ever overseas batter in IPL history would have already played his last in the league, with Dhoni outlasting him despite being roughly six years older.
Narine has been a key part of the IPL and Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) ever since he made his debut for the side in 2012, and since then, he has starred in their title-winning campaigns in 2012 and 2014.
However, he has already stopped playing for the West Indies after he announced his retirement in November 2023. With him being on the wrong side of 30, he might just call it a day in the IPL as well if his performances dip further in the 2026 season after he blew hot and cold in the 2025 season.
Russell began his IPL career in 2014 and has established himself as one of the best all-rounders in the league by playing a key role in KKR’s title-winning campaigns. However, his performance in the 2025 season was a proper mixed bag as he scored only 167 runs in 13 games at a strike rate of 163 and picked eight wickets in nine games.
Combined with his lacklustre performance, Russell has also been troubled repeatedly with injuries in the past due to his load as a cricketer, and since he’s already closer to 40 than 35, he only has a limited time in the league. Don’t be surprised if Dhoni continues to play even after Russell is done with the IPL.